There were beans, beans, as big as…

There were beans, beans, as big as…

I love beans. I love ham and beans. I love baked beans on toast. I love charro beans. I love smoked turkey and beans. I love pasta and beans. I love wieners and beans. I love bacon and beans. And I especially like when those bean dishes are made, from scratch, with...
Learning to love avocados.

Learning to love avocados.

I didn’t have my first avocado until I was about 12. I think it was the fruit and veg supplier to my mother’s restaurant who gave her a couple of samples to bring home. I liked their mysterious black skin; I loved their nickname, alligator pear; and I was...
Uncomplicating mezcal. And discovering El Dorado.

Uncomplicating mezcal. And discovering El Dorado.

Drinking mezcal in Mexico used to be so easy. You’d buy yourself a one week package to a bikini-laden beach that included airfare, hotel, all you could eat, and, most importantly, all you could drink. Then, you just followed the daily regime: Drinks with umbrellas in...
Twice upon a time in Mexico.

Twice upon a time in Mexico.

“El, you really must try this because it’s puerco pibil. It’s a slow-roasted pork, nothing fancy. It just happens to be my favorite, and I order it with a tequila and lime in every dive I go to in this country. And honestly, that is the best it’s...